Lesego Gumede is a South African entrepreneur and the founder of Sneaker Cleanic, a proudly township-born sneaker cleaning, restoration and repair business that has grown from humble beginnings in Mabopane into a multi-store operation.
Lesego’s entrepreneurial journey began with a simple observation: people were willing to pay to have their sneakers professionally cleaned. Seeing an opportunity within South Africa’s rapidly growing sneaker culture, he invested approximately R2,500 to start his own business. What began on a small scale developed into Sneaker Cleanic, creating employment and serving a growing customer base across Pretoria.
FROM TOWNSHIP HUSTLE TO GROWING BRAND
Founded in 2021, Sneaker Cleanic was built in Mabopane before expanding into additional locations and developing a broader range of sneaker cleaning, restoration and maintenance services.
Lesego’s approach has centred on understanding customer needs, developing systems and turning an informal service opportunity into a structured and scalable retail brand.
His work was recognised when Sneaker Cleanic won the Top Services Brand category at the 2025 Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards, highlighting the company’s contribution to township entrepreneurship and youth-led enterprise.
A STORY OF RESILIENCE
Behind Lesego’s business success is an equally compelling personal journey. He lives with bilateral hearing loss and uses a cochlear implant. Rather than allowing this challenge to define what he could achieve, Lesego continued building his business while navigating hearing loss alongside the pressures of entrepreneurship.
His story therefore extends beyond entrepreneurship. It is one of adaptability, resilience, courage and continuing to build despite significant personal and commercial obstacles.
SPEAKER
As a speaker, Lesego shares practical lessons drawn directly from building a business in South Africa’s township economy. His speaking themes include:
Entrepreneurship | Township Economy | Building a Brand | Business Growth | Customer Experience | Innovation | Resilience | Disability & Adaptability | Youth Entrepreneurship | Scaling a Small Business
In 2026, he is featured as a speaker at the SACSC Congress, presenting “Building Momentum: From Township Hustle to Retail Innovative Brand.”
Lesego brings an authentic entrepreneur’s perspective to the stage. His story demonstrates how identifying a simple opportunity, understanding your customer and remaining resilient through setbacks can transform a township start-up into a growing South African brand.
